Classy three-year-old Petrology has produced an incredible final straight sprint to win the featured Group 2 Sandown Guineas (1600m) this afternoon; finding the line a comfortable two lengths in the clear of Stratum Star and a brave Berisha.
Petrology has secured a second black type victory in taking out the 2014 Sandown Guineas. Photo: Sarah Ebbett
Jumping from the gates only fairly, jockey Nick Hall settled the Fastnet Rock colt at the rear of the field, well and truly off the pace of early leaders Seenan, Zululand and Careless who charged away from the barriers and rounding the bend.
Finding the final straight with plenty to do and appeared to be blocked for a run, Petrology exploded from the rear of the field with 300m to run; finding the front of the pack with 200m to run and extending to back-to-back race wins for the first time in his career, having taken out the Listed TV Stakes (1800m) last time out on Crown Oaks Day.
Hall delivered an exceptional ride on Petrology in the 2014 Sandown Guineas and was thoroughly impressed by the performance mustered by his classy mount for victory.
“Great turn of foot, had to step-up in grade today,” Hall said after winning the 2014 Sandown Guineas.
“I’m really impressed with him, I didn’t know if he had it in him but he’s obviously taken it to the next level.”
Trainer David Hayes was understandably thrilled with Petrology’s Sandown Guineas performance and confirmed gelding at the end of the year is no longer an option for the now two-time Stakes winner.
“That was actually a win of a very good horse, a weight-for-age horse going forward I think so he’s certainly not getting gelded,” Hayes said
“Ollie (Damien Oliver) rode him as a two-year-old and he said he felt like a Group 1 horse … and he’s not a bad judge, old Ollie.
“I’m really excited about him – we’ll put him aside now, he’s stepped up on the big stage twice and he might be an Australian Guineas horse I think.”
Winning a minor over 1200m on debut in March before finishing second in both the Mindy Green 2.y.o Plate (1200m) and Listed Sky High Mt Dandenong Stakes (1200m) over autumn, Petrology was competitive in each of his first four starts this time in, but only manage mid-pack finishes, leading to suggestions a gelding may be an appropriate course of action.
Having now claimed back-to-back Stakes wins, the three-year-old appears on track to stamp his claims as a serious Sire candidate leading into the 2015 Autumn Carnival.
Punters who backed Petrology to win the 2014 Sandown Guineas at Ladbrokes.com.au will be taking advantage of a payout at impressive $14 odds.
2014 Sandown Guineas Results
| Finish | No. | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Margin | Bar. | Weight | Starting Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 3 | PETROLOGY | David Hayes & Tom Dabernig | Nicholas Hall | – | 12 | 57kg | $14 |
| 2 | 2 | STRATUM STAR | Darren Weir | Kerrin McEvoy | 2.25L | 2 | 57kg | $3.20F |
| 3 | 10 | BERISHA | Murray Johnson | Cory Parish | 3.5L | 11 | 57kg | $101 |
| 4 | 13 | UNGRATEFUL ELLEN | Robert Smerdon | Craig Williams | 3.9L | 10 | 55kg | $61 |
| 5 | 4 | LORD ASPEN | Mick Huxtable | Matthew Neilson | 4L | 5 | 57kg | $4 |
| 6 | 9 | REKINDLED POWER | Paul Messara | Dwayne Dunn | 4.75L | 9 | 57kg | $5.50 |
| 7 | 7 | DUCAL CASTLE | Peter G Moody | Daniel Stackhouse | 5.5L | 1 | 57kg | $10 |
| 8 | 6 | SEENAAN | Mick Price | Daniel Moor | 6.75L | 6 | 57kg | $41 |
| 9 | 8 | CHILL PARTY | Tom Hughes | Brian Werner | 7.5L | 7 | 57kg | $26 |
| 10 | 5 | CARELESS | John O’Shea | James McDonald | 7.7L | 4 | 57kg | $9 |
| 11 | 11 | MOTEL MEMORIES | Ken Keys | Ryan Maloney | 8.95L | 3 | 57kg | $201 |
| 12 | 1 | ZULULAND | David Hayes & Tom Dabernig | Stephen Baster | 10.2L | 8 | 57kg | $41 |
